This Strange but True story is about a small, rural town where the two law enforcement officers don’t carry guns. No, it’s not the plot of The Andy Griffith Show. And the cops can’t carry guns. It’s really an HR case study on background checks, and the only employee without a record is a dog—literally!
According to media reports, the town of Vaughn, New Mexico, is having a mini crime wave—drought-plagued ranchers are stealing grass to feed their livestock.
However, don’t expect the law enforcement officers in the isolated area to pull guns on any perpetrators—they aren’t certified to carry firearms because they have records.
In fact, reports New Mexico station KOB4, the sheriff just resigned when news broke that he can’t carry a gun. He cannot be certified to carry because he is on probation for criminal nonpayment of child support in Texas. The other officer is also noncertified because he pleaded guilty to domestic assault and battery charges last year.
The chief told KOB4 reporters that a gun is not necessary to perform his job because the officers are allowed to carry mace and police batons. “This isn’t a TV show. This is life. We don’t run in everyday with a gun drawn,” he said. And armed county officers patrol the area.
No word if the town of slightly over 500 residents did background checks on the town employees.
However, the third member of the Vaughn PD has no record. It’s Nikka, the police dog.